Ceramic coated

foglem · 07-20-2019, 04:58 PM

So after thinking about being lazy and paying someone; I then decided that $1250 could do a number of more useful things for me and I set out to ceramic coat the X3 myself today...

Used Avalon King Armor Shield IX. Turned out quite well and over the next couple days it’ll really start to shine as it finishes setting. Just had to share!

Oh, took about 4 hours with this needing very little correction.

chicagofan00 · 07-20-2019, 05:05 PM

Looks good.

Beautiful neighborhood as well!

BuddhaTB · 07-21-2019, 01:42 AM

Well done and money saved!

How does the X3 compare to your Macan?

Rbrown · 07-21-2019, 03:48 AM

Great job!

Like you, I don't like paying the money so do it myself. I thought it was just Scottish people who were tight with money!

MADBMWX5MC · 07-21-2019, 07:23 AM

Super nice, great stuff

foglem · 07-21-2019, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuddhaTB

Well done and money saved!

How does the X3 compare to your Macan?

My wife’s Macan is a base model so the M40i is amazingly faster. However the Macan is more nimble and the handling seems superior to the X3.

mattchops · 07-23-2019, 09:39 AM

Is it a really simply and straight forward process to apply it?

X3M40i_Nev · 07-23-2019, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattchops

Is it a really simply and straight forward process to apply it?

It really is, preparation is the key, so: clean, polish, panel wipe with IPA, apply, wipe off. Depending on coating they have varying needs around how long it is left on for etc, But key to work in small areas, apply as directed, and then remove as per instructions. Then leave to cure and hey presto...done

There are many "consumer" ceramic cotings out there that make it easy for the average joe to apply, and don't need curing with lamps etc. So I would research, and pick the one that you like or gets best reviews.

I used Gyeon Q2 Pure which is a think single layer, but there are many others that have base coats, and additional layers etc

foglem · 07-23-2019, 11:12 AM

Yep, it's pretty straight forward. Think of it as essentially the same as waxing the car. Except this wax layer when fully cured is going to be incredibly hard and block your ability to polish out scratches etc. So you want to polish any imperfections you can't live with out BEFORE you apply it.

TheusBimmer · 07-23-2019, 12:21 PM

For those who have done DIY ceramic wax, how long have you had it for and can you speak about the effectiveness and longevity of the application?

foglem · 07-23-2019, 12:41 PM

I'm new to it having done the Macan about a month before the X3 now. So I can't speak to longevity yet and will let others chime in (you might also search youtube for 6 month, 1 year etc reviews).

I can tell you (in light of your other question in the other thread) that I only used 1 bottle. Dunno what they are thinking with the 3 bottles thing. For the most part I ended up with extra from 1 bottle on the Macan, so I went even heavier on the application on the X3 and still managed to have leftovers from a single bottle (one bottle per car). It spreads really well, I don't see needing more than a single bottle to apply it. Granted I only did a single coat on most of the car (2 coats in the hood and roof where it's most noticeable). I did not coat my glass or wheels. Yet. I'll likely do the wheels. Not sure I see the value in the glass beyond rain-x style effects.

X3M40i_Nev · 07-24-2019, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foglem

I'm new to it having done the Macan about a month before the X3 now. So I can't speak to longevity yet and will let others chime in (you might also search youtube for 6 month, 1 year etc reviews).

I can tell you (in light of your other question in the other thread) that I only used 1 bottle. Dunno what they are thinking with the 3 bottles thing. For the most part I ended up with extra from 1 bottle on the Macan, so I went even heavier on the application on the X3 and still managed to have leftovers from a single bottle (one bottle per car). It spreads really well, I don't see needing more than a single bottle to apply it. Granted I only did a single coat on most of the car (2 coats in the hood and roof where it's most noticeable). I did not coat my glass or wheels. Yet. I'll likely do the wheels. Not sure I see the value in the glass beyond rain-x style effects.

agree. 1 bottle per car more than enough

07-20-2019, 04:58 PM	#1
foglem Private First Class 108 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i; Porsche Macan Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Ceramic coated - Personally done So after thinking about being lazy and paying someone; I then decided that $1250 could do a number of more useful things for me and I set out to ceramic coat the X3 myself today... Used Avalon King Armor Shield IX. Turned out quite well and over the next couple days it’ll really start to shine as it finishes setting. Just had to share! Oh, took about 4 hours with this needing very little correction. Attached Images
	Appreciate 8 chicagofan0019143.00 SJTrance19.50 BuddhaTB150.00 Rbrown2765.50 KevinT58627.50 sinbad4782.50 JustChris17487.50 JDsX3507.00 Tweet Quote

07-20-2019, 05:05 PM	#2
chicagofan00 Major General 19143 Rep 8,030 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 M60i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [10.00]	Looks good. Beautiful neighborhood as well! __________________ Instagram: @Phxrisingphotography Current - 2024 G05 X5 ///M60i in Java Green Past - 2005 E53 X5 3.0i in Titanium Silver; 2008 E92 335i in Montego Blue; 2019 G01 X3 M40i in Glacier Silver; 2022 G80 M3 Competition in Twilight Purple
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07-21-2019, 01:42 AM	#3
BuddhaTB First Lieutenant 150 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 xDrive 30i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 [0.00]	Well done and money saved! How does the X3 compare to your Macan? __________________ 2019 X3 xDrive30i Alpine White \| Cognac w/ Fineline Cove Matte \| 20" 699M Wheels \| M Sport \| Dynamic Handling PKG \| Drive Assist \| Parking Assist \| Navigation \| Trailer Hitch
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07-21-2019, 03:48 AM	#4
Rbrown Brigadier General 2766 Rep 4,576 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	Great job! Like you, I don't like paying the money so do it myself. I thought it was just Scottish people who were tight with money!
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07-21-2019, 07:23 AM	#5
MADBMWX5MC Major 732 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X5MC Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	Super nice, great stuff __________________ 2023 BMW X5MC Tanzanite Blue II Metallic 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Black 2006 Ford Mustang GT Convertible (car-show car)
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07-23-2019, 09:39 AM	#7
mattchops Enlisted Member 12 Rep 49 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Is it a really simply and straight forward process to apply it?
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07-23-2019, 11:12 AM	#9
foglem Private First Class 108 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i; Porsche Macan Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	Yep, it's pretty straight forward. Think of it as essentially the same as waxing the car. Except this wax layer when fully cured is going to be incredibly hard and block your ability to polish out scratches etc. So you want to polish any imperfections you can't live with out BEFORE you apply it.
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07-23-2019, 12:21 PM	#10
TheusBimmer First Lieutenant 144 Rep 317 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	For those who have done DIY ceramic wax, how long have you had it for and can you speak about the effectiveness and longevity of the application?
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07-23-2019, 12:41 PM	#11
foglem Private First Class 108 Rep 166 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i; Porsche Macan Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	I'm new to it having done the Macan about a month before the X3 now. So I can't speak to longevity yet and will let others chime in (you might also search youtube for 6 month, 1 year etc reviews). I can tell you (in light of your other question in the other thread) that I only used 1 bottle. Dunno what they are thinking with the 3 bottles thing. For the most part I ended up with extra from 1 bottle on the Macan, so I went even heavier on the application on the X3 and still managed to have leftovers from a single bottle (one bottle per car). It spreads really well, I don't see needing more than a single bottle to apply it. Granted I only did a single coat on most of the car (2 coats in the hood and roof where it's most noticeable). I did not coat my glass or wheels. Yet. I'll likely do the wheels. Not sure I see the value in the glass beyond rain-x style effects.
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